Miyairi Norihiro

Born in Nagano Prefecture in 1954. Swordsmith. A trailblazing talent who has gone beyond traditional schools to maximize the potential of the Japanese sword as a work of art. After graduating from Kokugakuin University, served an apprenticeship under living national treasure Sumitani Masamine. Became the youngest person to achieve the distinguished mukansa qualification, and in 2010 was awarded the Masamune Prize, the most prestigious award in Japanese sword-making. A modern master of his craft, his pieces have been used in Shintō rituals at Ise Shrine and in the ring-entering ceremony by former sumō grand champion Asashōryū.